A PENSIONER who thought she had cancer was refused a breast scan by Withington Hospital - because she was too old.

Anita Risby, 66, feared she might become victim to the killer disease after learning her sister had cancer.

But when she contacted the Nightingale Centre about an appointment she was told: 'you're off the computer because you're too old'.

Now after speaking to the Reporter, the centre say an appointment has been made for early next year, finally ending weeks of worry for Anita.

The terrified OAP had rung the centre to put her mind at rest and asked for a scan at the dedicated breast cancer unit. Not only was her sister now facing surgery, others in her close family suffered from the disease

Anita, from Fallowfield, said: She said: "I phoned them and they just said no. I was stunned. They said I was off the computer because I was too old.

"I demanded that I wanted a mammogram but they said there was nothing they could do as there was no funding to test over 64s. I was absolutely disgusted."

Anita was shocked and angry but she was determined and phoned again a few weeks later only to be given the same response.

She added: "They were quite abrupt and just said that I couldn't have one. "

But Anita was still told that until funding was approved for testing of her age group she could not have a mammogram, and that could be an 18-month wait.

Now Anita looks like she will get her scan in January. "It's good news but I should not have had to go through all this," she said.

"There is a lot of cancer in my family. My mother died from it and by the time she did she was riddled with it in every part of her body.

"I have three first cousins who have been affected by it and I had to have a test for throat cancer last year because my doctor thought that was what was wrong with me."

And in September, Anita's sister discovered that she was suffering with breast cancer, forcing Anita to consider her own health more seriously.

She said: "My sister had a mammogram, a lump was found and she had to undergo surgery to remove it.

"The surgeon said to her, 'You do realise that mammogram probably saved your life.'"

The South Manchester University Hospitals' Trust, responsible for Withington Hospital and The Nightingale centre have admitted they have not had the funding to extend their screening service to the over 64s but it is now in place.

Dr Mary Wilson, director of breast screening, said: "Until recently we were not inviting any ladies over 64 but if they rang up and wished to self refer that was absolutely fine.

"Now we are beginning to invite up to 70-year-olds and I think in this lady's case when she rang us her GPs clinic was about to all be invited for a screening in June.

"She obviously was not happy with that and we have made her an appointment for January."